Quick-connect fittings for a trickle type irrigation system

Abstract

Quick-connect fittings for a trickle-type irrigation system wherein the fittings include gripping means thereon for quickly and easily joining the fittings to plastic pipes and the like without requiring the use of tools. In one form of the invention, the fitting has piercing means thereon for penetrating the wall of a plastic pipe to make a secure and leak-tight connection thereto without requiring the use of tools; and in another form of the invention, adjustable resilient orifice means is in the fitting.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A self-piercing, quick-connect irrigation fitting for trickle-type irrigation systems, comprising: a hollow, open-ended, semicylindrical, synthetic plastic body having a flat, planar side, the hollow interior of the body being semicylindrical and extending the length of the body; a projection on the center of said flat side of said body terminating in a sharpened free end; and tapered, enlarged piercing head on the free end of the projection defining an annular retaining shoulder facing away from the free end toward the body; the axis of the projection disposed perpendicular to the axis of the open-ended semicylindrical body; and a restricted passageway extending through the projection from the free end thereof to the hollow body, said hollow body thus defining a shrouded outlet against which water impinges as it passes from the restricted passageway when the fitting is attached to a water-containing conduit to effect flow of water from the open ends of the semicylindrical body to irrigate a localized area, said sharpened end adapted to penetrate the wall of a conduit whereby the shoulder engages behind the wall to retain the fitting in place.